Advice re volunteering and covid

[Serena1977]

Hi,

I work voluntarily 12 hours a week in a primary school which my children go to albeit in a different key stage with a view to maybe do a qualification in the future

I am vulnerable but just healthy enough to avoid shielding but have to be careful. I haven't done a thing apart from tesco, school, allotment for some time.

Both my children have been in tears because of the changes especially as today they now need to eat at their desks. Playground is segregated by class now not just bubble, but staff is still crossing bubbles.

The teacher of the class I'm in is waiting for a covid result as is the teacher in the next door classroom.

It dawned on me this morning whilst I was at school, why was I putting myself at health risk to volunteer with kids I dont know, when my own children at the other end of the school are beside themselves with the changes and worry. I could be at home, home schooling them and safer.

Especially with today's press conference, would you think it best I stop volunteering, take the kids out of school and see how things transpire over the next 2 weeks before I make the decision for the rest of the year.

Thanks

Shameless bump!

As a volunteer, it's up to you. There obviously is a slight risk being in contact with so many people.
But, please don't take your children out, they adapt very quickly and things that seem strange, soon won't. Children are better at school, developing their social skills and being taught by qualified teachers (hopefully whose grammar is better than yours!).

I'm surprised they are having volunteers in at the moment, an unnecessary risk and you arent on the pay roll.

Yanbu to stop the volunteering in any circumstance but as you are vulnerable I wouldn't do it the risk of harm to you and subsequently your family is greater surely than what you gain from volunteering?

I say this as a healthcare worker working with covid patients all through lockdown and having being a parent volunteer at school on the past. Our department had no volunteers or students in over lockdown, the risk to them was considered too great and they've only come back in the last 2 weeks. I don't know how it works with volunteers but our students were removed in the earlier years of the course as the weren't protected legally/H&S wise I think.

Personally in your circumstances I'd say you wouldn't be unreasonable at all to take them out and home school. Do it ASAP before things get out of hand

You are entitled to do that, it sounds reasonable to me.

The government will not look out for us or our children at the moment, sadly, I think parents need to do what they think is right.